"Oh, why can't everybody just be nice?"
The European Union expressed Wednesday serious concern about the plight of thousands of people killed or made homeless by a conflict between the Sudanese government and rebels in the Darfur region. In a statement issued by its Irish presidency, the EU called on Khartoum and the rebel Sudan Liberation Movement to respect a ceasefire signed on September 3, which both sides are accused of violating, and to return to talks. "The EU urges the parties to deploy the maximum effort to ensure the full respect for human rights and the protection of the civilian population," the statement added. "The EU urges the parties to ensure full and unimpeded access by relevant United Nations bodies and agencies and other humanitarian actors," it said. The Sudanese government said Wednesday its troops were trying to secure the delivery of thousands of tonnes of humanitarian aid to Darfur.
| I wonder if the EU and the UN have given any thought to declaring Sudan an outlaw state? Maybe urging members to withdraw diplomatic recognition, cutting aid, imposing sanctions, and beating up their ambassadors? Just a thought... |
The Darfur rebellion, launched in February to protest against economic neglect of the semi-desert region, left some 3,000 dead last year, according to UN estimates. Another 600,000 have been displaced by the conflict out of a total population of one million, according to UN special envoy Tom Vraalsen, who was heading to neighbouring Chad Wednesday to enlist support for a new ceasefire.
| Hmmm... Yasss. That should work much better than declaring Omar's regime outlaw... |
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